Fuji from Snake-Crossing Swamp (Jaoinuma no Fuji): Detatched page from One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku hyakkei) Vol. 3 c. 1835 - 1847

Curator: This is Hokusai's "Fuji from Snake-Crossing Swamp," part of his famed "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji." It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's rather bleak, isn't it? That pale sky, the muted tones...a feeling of starkness. Curator: The monochromatic palette emphasizes the woodblock printing process. Look at the lines, the textures created by carving and inking. It speaks to the labor involved. Editor: But what of the people who lived in that landscape? Was this scene accessible to all, or were there barriers of class or gender impacting access? The swamp perhaps represents something less idyllic. Curator: The multiple states of this print also reveal Hokusai's dedication to his craft and the commercial demands of printmaking in Edo period Japan. Editor: It also makes me consider how our perception of iconic landscapes is shaped by artists and power structures. Curator: True. It provides a glimpse into the artistry of its making. Editor: Indeed, a testament to the power of art to both reflect and shape our understanding.